"But don't you think it's too dangerous?" Of course not! Netflix has revealed a teaser trailer for a new game show dark comedy series called The 8 Show, from filmmaker Korean filmmaker Han Jae-rim. This series plays like a mashup between The Platform and Squid Game - another clever metaphor for capitalism and how awful it really is. It's yet another game show for Netflix, but this is a fictional series based on web comics. "An irresistible but brutal show's curtain will be rising." Eight contestants in financial hardship take part in Money Game, a reality competition with 44.8 billion Korean won up for grabs. To win they must endure 100 days in an empty concrete building - and all purchases carry a 1000x markup, subtracted from the prize winning pot. The building is 8 stories tall and they earn money as time passes, but also must spend it to survive. Starring Ryu Jun-yeol,...
- 4/23/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Rights to “I, The Executioner,” which will premiere as a Midnight Screening at the Cannes Film Festival this year, have been picked up by South Korea’s Cj Enm.
The crime-action film directed by Ryu Seung-wan (also written Ryoo Seung-wan) is a sequel to Ryu’s 2015 hit “Veteran” and in Korea goes by the title “Veteran 2.”
Few details of the story have yet been disclosed, but Cj describes the film as “combining Ryu’s trademark action with observations and messages about social change.” Ryu last year enjoyed major box office success with crime comedy “Smugglers.”
Hwang Jung-min, who recently enjoyed box office success in “12.12: The Day,” reprises his role from “Veteran.” He is joined in the sequel by Jung Hae-in (“Tune in for Love”) as a new member of the film’s Violent Crime Investigation Squad.
“I, The Executioner” was produced by Filmmaker R & K, the production shingle owned...
The crime-action film directed by Ryu Seung-wan (also written Ryoo Seung-wan) is a sequel to Ryu’s 2015 hit “Veteran” and in Korea goes by the title “Veteran 2.”
Few details of the story have yet been disclosed, but Cj describes the film as “combining Ryu’s trademark action with observations and messages about social change.” Ryu last year enjoyed major box office success with crime comedy “Smugglers.”
Hwang Jung-min, who recently enjoyed box office success in “12.12: The Day,” reprises his role from “Veteran.” He is joined in the sequel by Jung Hae-in (“Tune in for Love”) as a new member of the film’s Violent Crime Investigation Squad.
“I, The Executioner” was produced by Filmmaker R & K, the production shingle owned...
- 4/12/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
South Korean film studio N.E.W. reports that period thriller “The Night Owl” has been licensed for remake in China.
It claims that its deal is the highest price ever paid for rights to remake Korean IP in China, but it declined to disclose either the value of the deal or the identity of the buyer.
South Korea and China maintain frosty diplomatic relations and, despite Korean content being hugely popular worldwide, film industry relations have been frozen as a consequence. No Korean film has had a theatrical release in China for nearly a decade.
But remakes are a way around the problem. Chinese companies have adopted the practice of licensing and remaking Korean films and TV shows in order to play down the origins of the story and to be able to legitimately claim that their titles now have Chinese nationality.
The 2022 film was directed by Ahn Tae-jin and scripted by Ahn,...
It claims that its deal is the highest price ever paid for rights to remake Korean IP in China, but it declined to disclose either the value of the deal or the identity of the buyer.
South Korea and China maintain frosty diplomatic relations and, despite Korean content being hugely popular worldwide, film industry relations have been frozen as a consequence. No Korean film has had a theatrical release in China for nearly a decade.
But remakes are a way around the problem. Chinese companies have adopted the practice of licensing and remaking Korean films and TV shows in order to play down the origins of the story and to be able to legitimately claim that their titles now have Chinese nationality.
The 2022 film was directed by Ahn Tae-jin and scripted by Ahn,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Streaming giant Netflix on Tuesday confirmed expansion of starry Korean cast in the popular Korean series ‘Squid Game’ Season 2. The second season sees Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun and Gong Yoo reprise their roles as protagonist and antagonist survivors of the bloody elimination game, reports ‘Variety’.
The new story “will follow Gi-hun as he abandons his plans to go to the US and starts a chase with a motive”, said Netflix in Korea.
Earlier photographs from Season 2 showed Lee’s Gi-hyun character with hair dyed beetroot red, reports ‘Variety’.
The company confirmed that Hwang Dong-hyuk, who became the first Asian to win outstanding directing for a drama series at the Primetime Emmy’s, is also re-set as director, writer, and producer and that production is through Firstman Studio.
New cast members include Yim Si-wan ‘The Attorney’, ‘Emergency Declaration’, Kang Ha-neul ‘Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet’, Park Gyu-young ‘Attack the Gas Station’, Lee Jin-uk,...
The new story “will follow Gi-hun as he abandons his plans to go to the US and starts a chase with a motive”, said Netflix in Korea.
Earlier photographs from Season 2 showed Lee’s Gi-hyun character with hair dyed beetroot red, reports ‘Variety’.
The company confirmed that Hwang Dong-hyuk, who became the first Asian to win outstanding directing for a drama series at the Primetime Emmy’s, is also re-set as director, writer, and producer and that production is through Firstman Studio.
New cast members include Yim Si-wan ‘The Attorney’, ‘Emergency Declaration’, Kang Ha-neul ‘Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet’, Park Gyu-young ‘Attack the Gas Station’, Lee Jin-uk,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The historial action drama has become the biggest film of 2023 at the local box office.
Historical action drama 12.12: The Day has surpassed 12 million admissions and $90m at the South Korea box office as of today (January 2), according to the Korea Box-office Information System (Kobis).
The Korean film has been revitalising the local box office, where the only stand-out hit of 2023 had been Don Lee’s crime action franchise film The Roundup: No Way Out, with 10.6 million admissions and $79.8m.
12.12: The Day, released by Plus M Entertainment on November 22, ended the year with more than 11.8 million admissions and $88m,...
Historical action drama 12.12: The Day has surpassed 12 million admissions and $90m at the South Korea box office as of today (January 2), according to the Korea Box-office Information System (Kobis).
The Korean film has been revitalising the local box office, where the only stand-out hit of 2023 had been Don Lee’s crime action franchise film The Roundup: No Way Out, with 10.6 million admissions and $79.8m.
12.12: The Day, released by Plus M Entertainment on November 22, ended the year with more than 11.8 million admissions and $88m,...
- 1/2/2024
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Korean crime-action webtoon “Knuckle Girl” is being adapted as an original film production for Amazon’s Prime Video. It is structured as a Korea-Japan co-venture.
The narrative revolves around a promising woman boxer, Ran, who takes on school bullies and participates in illegal bouts. When her sister is kidnapped by a criminal gang, Ran must risk her own life, by breaking into the underworld wearing brass knuckledusters, rather than boxing gloves.
The film is directed by Chang, the Korean director who goes by a single name and whose 2014 film “The Target” debuted in the Midnight screening section at Cannes. Writing credits go to Yoo Gap-yeol, whose “Emergency Declaration” also debuted in Cannes, in 2021, and Jeong Byeong-sik (“The Villain”) who wrote the adaptation.
Despite the Korean pedigree, the film stars Japanese female actor Miyoshi Iyaka, who achieved fame with 2010 film “Confession” and stars in both seasons of Netflix’s Japanese dystopian thriller “Alice in Borderland.
The narrative revolves around a promising woman boxer, Ran, who takes on school bullies and participates in illegal bouts. When her sister is kidnapped by a criminal gang, Ran must risk her own life, by breaking into the underworld wearing brass knuckledusters, rather than boxing gloves.
The film is directed by Chang, the Korean director who goes by a single name and whose 2014 film “The Target” debuted in the Midnight screening section at Cannes. Writing credits go to Yoo Gap-yeol, whose “Emergency Declaration” also debuted in Cannes, in 2021, and Jeong Byeong-sik (“The Villain”) who wrote the adaptation.
Despite the Korean pedigree, the film stars Japanese female actor Miyoshi Iyaka, who achieved fame with 2010 film “Confession” and stars in both seasons of Netflix’s Japanese dystopian thriller “Alice in Borderland.
- 9/15/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Allegations of a massive, multiyear pattern of box office fraud rocked the Korean film industry last week. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s anti-corruption office said 69 executives from the country’s largest theater chains — Cgv, Lotte Cinema and Megabox — and 24 distributors, including Showbox, were referred to prosecutors on Thursday. The police said the theaters colluded with distributors to exaggerate ticket sales for at least 323 films over the past five years, delivering false information to the Korean Film Council, the government-run body responsible for collecting local box office data.
But some Korean film business insiders say the practices the police uncovered were an “open secret” in the industry for years, and oftentimes not nearly as nefarious as they might appear.
Much of the resentment that’s currently building in the Korean film industry, meanwhile, is being directed at the major multiplex companies, which are owned by Korea’s largest conglomerates and have unrivaled market power.
But some Korean film business insiders say the practices the police uncovered were an “open secret” in the industry for years, and oftentimes not nearly as nefarious as they might appear.
Much of the resentment that’s currently building in the Korean film industry, meanwhile, is being directed at the major multiplex companies, which are owned by Korea’s largest conglomerates and have unrivaled market power.
- 8/21/2023
- by Soomee Park and Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Officials said 2.67 million admissions were over-counted.
Police in South Korea allege that the box office figures have been inflated for 323 local films over the past five years.
According to a report by local news outlet Yonhap, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has referred 69 officials from cinema chains and 24 film distributors to prosecutors as part of the investigation.
It is alleged that between March 2018 and June 2023, cinema officials colluded with distributors to enter inflated ticket sales information into the Korean Film Council’s box office information system, with the aim of boosting box office rankings.
Officials said 2.67 million admissions were over-counted.
Police in South Korea allege that the box office figures have been inflated for 323 local films over the past five years.
According to a report by local news outlet Yonhap, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has referred 69 officials from cinema chains and 24 film distributors to prosecutors as part of the investigation.
It is alleged that between March 2018 and June 2023, cinema officials colluded with distributors to enter inflated ticket sales information into the Korean Film Council’s box office information system, with the aim of boosting box office rankings.
Officials said 2.67 million admissions were over-counted.
- 8/16/2023
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
South Korean police said on Wednesday that they had found evidence that the box office performance of 323 films over the past five years had been inflated.
Seoul Metropolitan Police said that, as a result, they had referred 69 people from major exhibition chains and 24 film distribution companies to prosecutors. The prosecutors will determine whether or not to proceed with criminal cases.
The force’s anti-corruption and public crime investigation team began probing the sector earlier this year and in June raided the offices of Cj-cgv, Megabox and Lotte Cinema, the country’s three largest cinema operators. At the time, it also emerged that the premises of distributors Showbox, Lotte Entertainment and Kidari had also been visited.
In an update, the police investigators said that they had probed a total of 98 film distributors and 462 movie titles.
“In collusion with film distributors, the accused theater officials allegedly entered inflated ticket sales information onto...
Seoul Metropolitan Police said that, as a result, they had referred 69 people from major exhibition chains and 24 film distribution companies to prosecutors. The prosecutors will determine whether or not to proceed with criminal cases.
The force’s anti-corruption and public crime investigation team began probing the sector earlier this year and in June raided the offices of Cj-cgv, Megabox and Lotte Cinema, the country’s three largest cinema operators. At the time, it also emerged that the premises of distributors Showbox, Lotte Entertainment and Kidari had also been visited.
In an update, the police investigators said that they had probed a total of 98 film distributors and 462 movie titles.
“In collusion with film distributors, the accused theater officials allegedly entered inflated ticket sales information onto...
- 8/16/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Police in South Korea said today that 69 officials from theater chains including Cgv, Lotte and Megabox and from 24 film distributors have been referred without detention to the prosecutor on charges of obstruction of business, local media reports.
This follows an investigation that began in June into suspicious box office numbers. Police claim the accused were involved in fabricating figures to boost film rankings over the past five years.
Ticket sales for at least 323 movies screened in the market from March 2018 to June of this year allegedly were inflated, per the Korea Herald, citing police. Sbs reports the alleged falsely reported sales at certain shows were on local titles and resulted in 2.67 million overcounted viewers.
In June, police raided the major exhibitors and the offices of three film distributors on suspicion of box office manipulation and allegations they had obstructed the business of the Korean Film Council (Kofic) by falsely counting...
This follows an investigation that began in June into suspicious box office numbers. Police claim the accused were involved in fabricating figures to boost film rankings over the past five years.
Ticket sales for at least 323 movies screened in the market from March 2018 to June of this year allegedly were inflated, per the Korea Herald, citing police. Sbs reports the alleged falsely reported sales at certain shows were on local titles and resulted in 2.67 million overcounted viewers.
In June, police raided the major exhibitors and the offices of three film distributors on suspicion of box office manipulation and allegations they had obstructed the business of the Korean Film Council (Kofic) by falsely counting...
- 8/16/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Takumi Saitoh is best known as an in-demand actor with an enormous list of credits, but he has also established himself as a filmmaker and photographer. After modeling in Japan and overseas in his teens, he made his acting debut in 2001, and has appeared in such heralded films as Takashi Miike's For Love's Sake (2012) Junji Sakamoto's The Projects (2015), Eric Khoo's Ramen Teh (2018), Last of the Wolves (Nyaff 2021), Shin Ultraman and The Legend and Butterfly (2023), among many others. Saitoh has been directing short films for several decades, and made his feature debut with blank 13 (2018), which won awards at film festivals in Japan and abroad, followed by the omnibus Zokki (Nyaff 2020). Home Sweet Home marks his third feature as director.
On the occasion of his film “Home Sweet Home” screening at New York Asian Film Festival, we speak with him about transitioning from actor to director, the filmmakers...
On the occasion of his film “Home Sweet Home” screening at New York Asian Film Festival, we speak with him about transitioning from actor to director, the filmmakers...
- 8/4/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Netflix’s most-watched series ever, South Korean death-match drama Squid Game, unveiled new and returning cast for its wildly anticipated second season over the weekend.
The surviving stars of season one — Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-Hun, Wi Ha-joon and Gong Yoo — will all be back for more, Netflix revealed at its Tudum fan event in Brazil on Saturday.
Announced newcomers include four male stars: Im Siwan (formerly of K-pop group Ze:a and known for film roles like The Attorney and Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha Neul (from K-dramas like Midnight Runners, When the Camellia Blooms), Park Sung Hoon (Netflix’s Korean hit The Glory) and Yang Dong Geun (from Disney+’s popular K-drama Connect).
In the wake of the announcement, some fans took to social media to ask why no female castmembers had been unveiled — especially after the breakout popularity of model-turned-actress HoYeon Jung from season one.
Season two of Squid Game...
The surviving stars of season one — Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-Hun, Wi Ha-joon and Gong Yoo — will all be back for more, Netflix revealed at its Tudum fan event in Brazil on Saturday.
Announced newcomers include four male stars: Im Siwan (formerly of K-pop group Ze:a and known for film roles like The Attorney and Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha Neul (from K-dramas like Midnight Runners, When the Camellia Blooms), Park Sung Hoon (Netflix’s Korean hit The Glory) and Yang Dong Geun (from Disney+’s popular K-drama Connect).
In the wake of the announcement, some fans took to social media to ask why no female castmembers had been unveiled — especially after the breakout popularity of model-turned-actress HoYeon Jung from season one.
Season two of Squid Game...
- 6/19/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Police in Korea on Tuesday raided three major multiplex chains and the offices of three film distributors on suspicion of box office manipulation, according to multiple local media reports. News agency Yonhap, citing officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Police, said the six entities are alleged to have obstructed the business of the Korean Film Council (Kofic) by falsely counting audience numbers for some local films.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption and Public Crimes Investigation Division said it is conducting the operations at a cinema from each of the Cgv, Megabox and Lotte Cinema chains, Zapzee reports. Per Sbs News, police sent investigators to the cinemas to secure data such as ticketing details related to the alleged manipulation. The distribution companies, Sbs News said, are Showbox, Lotte Entertainment and Kidari Studio.
Named by Sbs News, among the films suspected of having their box office falsely inflated are last year...
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption and Public Crimes Investigation Division said it is conducting the operations at a cinema from each of the Cgv, Megabox and Lotte Cinema chains, Zapzee reports. Per Sbs News, police sent investigators to the cinemas to secure data such as ticketing details related to the alleged manipulation. The distribution companies, Sbs News said, are Showbox, Lotte Entertainment and Kidari Studio.
Named by Sbs News, among the films suspected of having their box office falsely inflated are last year...
- 6/13/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
"We got one job to do right now - just get through it for them." Apple has unveiled a trailer for the thriller series Hijack. Much like the movie Plane from earlier this year, this remarkably simple title does indeed hint that the series is about a hijacking on a plane. Because, you know, what else could you call a hijacking thriller other than just Hijack? Told in real time, this tense thriller follows the journey of a hijacked plane as it makes its way to London over a seven-hour flight, and as authorities on the ground scramble for answers. Starring and executive produced by SAG Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Idris Elba, Hijack was created by George Kay ("Lupin") and Jim Field Smith. The series also stars Archie Panjabi, Christine Adams, Max Beesley, Eve Myles, Neil Maskell, Aimée Kelly, Jasper Britton, Harry Michell, Mohamed Elsandel, and Ben Miles.
- 5/25/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
‘The Tyrant’ director Park Hoon-jung is behind ‘The Witch’ films.
South Korea’s Acemaker movieworks has sealed deals on Park Hoon-jung’s upcoming action film The Tyrant (working title) and actor Jung Woo-sung’s directorial debut A Man Of Reason to a slew of territories.
The Tyrant has pre-sold to Germany (Splendid), Taiwan (MovieCloud), Southeast Asia (Purple Plan), Thailand (Neramitnung Film), Cis (Paradise Group) and inflight (Eagle).
Director Park is the filmmaker behind hit features The Witch: Part 1 and Part 2 and Venice title Night In Paradise as well as upcoming action feature The Childe, which is in post-production.
The Tyrant...
South Korea’s Acemaker movieworks has sealed deals on Park Hoon-jung’s upcoming action film The Tyrant (working title) and actor Jung Woo-sung’s directorial debut A Man Of Reason to a slew of territories.
The Tyrant has pre-sold to Germany (Splendid), Taiwan (MovieCloud), Southeast Asia (Purple Plan), Thailand (Neramitnung Film), Cis (Paradise Group) and inflight (Eagle).
Director Park is the filmmaker behind hit features The Witch: Part 1 and Part 2 and Venice title Night In Paradise as well as upcoming action feature The Childe, which is in post-production.
The Tyrant...
- 5/20/2023
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
The Far East Film Festival in Italy’s Udine will open with a double bill of He Shuming’s “Ajoomma” and Kai Ko’s “Bad Education.” It will close with Zhang Yimou’s blockbuster period epic “Full River Red.”
In between, the festival will showcase a stunning 78-title array of commercial and art-house films from across East Asia. Operating according to a motto of diversity –implying cultural asymmetries and artistic multiplicities – the 25th edition of the festival will run April 21-29.
Organizers say that their selection “shows in real time how the cinemas of East and Southeast Asia have re-emerged from the gruelling period of the pandemic, not all in the same way and not all with the same results.”
They point to the impact of Covid, politics and emigration from Hong Kong, and the recent resurgence of Cantonese-language cinema.
Similarly, Udine’s organizers note the recent box office struggles of South Korean cinema,...
In between, the festival will showcase a stunning 78-title array of commercial and art-house films from across East Asia. Operating according to a motto of diversity –implying cultural asymmetries and artistic multiplicities – the 25th edition of the festival will run April 21-29.
Organizers say that their selection “shows in real time how the cinemas of East and Southeast Asia have re-emerged from the gruelling period of the pandemic, not all in the same way and not all with the same results.”
They point to the impact of Covid, politics and emigration from Hong Kong, and the recent resurgence of Cantonese-language cinema.
Similarly, Udine’s organizers note the recent box office struggles of South Korean cinema,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has released its Top 10 for the week of March 27, and it was little to no surprise that Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston‘s comedy sequel “Murder Mystery 2” entered the English language films chart in first place. After all, the original 2019 movie was such a huge hit for Netflix.
The action-comedy sequel entered the charts with 64.4 million hours viewed, the second-biggest launch for a comedy film with 42 million views, appearing in the Top 10 in 91 countries with it being the #1 movie in more than 60 of those countries.
Right behind it was the original “Murder Mystery” with 24.7 million hours viewed globally, and the previous #1 movie “Luther: The Fallen Sun” with 12.7 million viewing hours. The lack of strong family films in theaters allowed four animated films to get into the Top 10 with Netflix’s “The Magician’s Elephant” leading the pack with 6.3 million viewing hours.
See Netflix Oscar movies: 22 wins and counting
The...
The action-comedy sequel entered the charts with 64.4 million hours viewed, the second-biggest launch for a comedy film with 42 million views, appearing in the Top 10 in 91 countries with it being the #1 movie in more than 60 of those countries.
Right behind it was the original “Murder Mystery” with 24.7 million hours viewed globally, and the previous #1 movie “Luther: The Fallen Sun” with 12.7 million viewing hours. The lack of strong family films in theaters allowed four animated films to get into the Top 10 with Netflix’s “The Magician’s Elephant” leading the pack with 6.3 million viewing hours.
See Netflix Oscar movies: 22 wins and counting
The...
- 4/4/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car was awarded best feature at this year’s Asian Film Awards (March 12), along with prizes for best editing and best original music. The multiple award-winning Japanese film premiered at Cannes film festival in 2021 and also won the Oscar for Best International Feature last year.
Another Japanese filmmaker, Hirokazu Kore-eda, took best director for Broker, the Korean-language film that has also been on an awards streak since premiering at Cannes film festival last year.
Best actress went to Chinese actress Tang Wei for her role in Korean director Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave, while Hong Kong’s Tony Leung Chiu-wai took best actor for Philip Yung’s Where The Wind Blows and was also presented with the Asian Film Contribution Award. Decision To Leave was also awarded best screenplay, for a script written by Park and Chung Seo-kyung, as well as best production design.
Another Japanese filmmaker, Hirokazu Kore-eda, took best director for Broker, the Korean-language film that has also been on an awards streak since premiering at Cannes film festival last year.
Best actress went to Chinese actress Tang Wei for her role in Korean director Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave, while Hong Kong’s Tony Leung Chiu-wai took best actor for Philip Yung’s Where The Wind Blows and was also presented with the Asian Film Contribution Award. Decision To Leave was also awarded best screenplay, for a script written by Park and Chung Seo-kyung, as well as best production design.
- 3/13/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Decision To Leave’ won three and Hirokazu Kore-eda named best director.
The Asian Film Awards (Afa) celebrated its comeback edition in Hong Kong tonight (March 12) and named Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car best film.
The Japanese film, which premiered at Cannes in 2021 and won best international feature at last year’s Oscars, won a further two awards at the AFAs: best editing for Azusa Yamazaki and best original music by Eiko Ishibashi.
Scroll down for full list of winners
Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave went into the night as the favourite, with a leading 10 nominations for the South Korean film,...
The Asian Film Awards (Afa) celebrated its comeback edition in Hong Kong tonight (March 12) and named Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car best film.
The Japanese film, which premiered at Cannes in 2021 and won best international feature at last year’s Oscars, won a further two awards at the AFAs: best editing for Azusa Yamazaki and best original music by Eiko Ishibashi.
Scroll down for full list of winners
Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave went into the night as the favourite, with a leading 10 nominations for the South Korean film,...
- 3/12/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
The much-decorated Japanese drama “Drive My Car” was named the best film Sunday at the Asian Film Awards, defeating hot favorite “Decision to Leave.”
Other notable awards went to Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda whose “Broker” debuted at Cannes, but which was largely shunned in his home country.
“Decision to Leave,” which started the evening with ten nominations, was nevertheless rewarded with three awards, best screenplay, best production design and best actress for China’s Tang Wei.
While nominations were geographically diverse, the awards on Sunday skewed heavily towards North East Asia –Japan, Korea and Greater China – to the total exclusion of films from India, Indonesia and The Philippines. Snubs included the exclusion of Indonesia’s “Autobiography” and Happy Salma, both of which have been widely lauded on the festival circuit.
The awards ceremony returned to Hong Kong after detours to Macau and Busan and a Covid hiatus in previous years.
Other notable awards went to Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda whose “Broker” debuted at Cannes, but which was largely shunned in his home country.
“Decision to Leave,” which started the evening with ten nominations, was nevertheless rewarded with three awards, best screenplay, best production design and best actress for China’s Tang Wei.
While nominations were geographically diverse, the awards on Sunday skewed heavily towards North East Asia –Japan, Korea and Greater China – to the total exclusion of films from India, Indonesia and The Philippines. Snubs included the exclusion of Indonesia’s “Autobiography” and Happy Salma, both of which have been widely lauded on the festival circuit.
The awards ceremony returned to Hong Kong after detours to Macau and Busan and a Covid hiatus in previous years.
- 3/12/2023
- by Patrick Frater and Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has unveiled a trailer for Berlin-bound action drama “Kill Boksoon,” with Jeon Do-yeon, previous winner of the best actress prize at Cannes, in the starring role.
The film sees Jeon as Gil, a single woman juggling the demanding and conflicting roles of professional killer and mother to a teenage daughter.
Despite her unblemished track record as an assassin, Gil hesitates about renewing her contract at the killing company where she is employed and decides to spend time finding out what is gnawing at her daughter. But complications are never far away, such as discovering her next target is at a parent-teacher meeting.
She also finds herself in competition with another hired gun (portrayed by “Peninsula” star Koo Kyo-hwan) and under pressure from her employers, portrayed Sul Kyung-gu and E Som (“Samjin English Company Class”).
The movie will have its world premiere in the Berlinale Special section, which acts as...
The film sees Jeon as Gil, a single woman juggling the demanding and conflicting roles of professional killer and mother to a teenage daughter.
Despite her unblemished track record as an assassin, Gil hesitates about renewing her contract at the killing company where she is employed and decides to spend time finding out what is gnawing at her daughter. But complications are never far away, such as discovering her next target is at a parent-teacher meeting.
She also finds herself in competition with another hired gun (portrayed by “Peninsula” star Koo Kyo-hwan) and under pressure from her employers, portrayed Sul Kyung-gu and E Som (“Samjin English Company Class”).
The movie will have its world premiere in the Berlinale Special section, which acts as...
- 2/2/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has unveiled 34 new titles debuting on the platform in 2023, ranging from K-dramas and films to unscripted TV shows.
According to the platform, 60 of its users consumed Korean content last year and the demand continues to grow. Don Kang, VP of content for Korea, said: “The global popularity of K-content has continued apace over 2022, with Netflix bringing a wider variety of stories and genres to fans around the world. Over the last year, Korean series and films have regularly featured in our Global Top 10 list in more than 90 countries, and three of Netflix’s most-watched shows ever are from Korea.”
K-drama fans can expect new survival-themed series alongside the return of their favorites. Park Seo Joon partners with Han So Hee for the first time in “Gyeongsang Creature” (pictured), a monster thriller set in 1945, the darkest days of Korean history.
Elsewhere, sci-fi series “Black Knight” joins the lineup as we...
According to the platform, 60 of its users consumed Korean content last year and the demand continues to grow. Don Kang, VP of content for Korea, said: “The global popularity of K-content has continued apace over 2022, with Netflix bringing a wider variety of stories and genres to fans around the world. Over the last year, Korean series and films have regularly featured in our Global Top 10 list in more than 90 countries, and three of Netflix’s most-watched shows ever are from Korea.”
K-drama fans can expect new survival-themed series alongside the return of their favorites. Park Seo Joon partners with Han So Hee for the first time in “Gyeongsang Creature” (pictured), a monster thriller set in 1945, the darkest days of Korean history.
Elsewhere, sci-fi series “Black Knight” joins the lineup as we...
- 1/17/2023
- by Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s ‘Drive My Car’ secures eight nods.
Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave leads the nominations for this year’s Asian Film Awards (Afa) with 10 nods including best film and best director.
Korean films have secured nominations in every category for the 16th edition of the awards, which will return to Hong Kong for the first time in three years, having been hosted in Busan for two years and not held in 2022.
Scroll down for full list of nominations
Korean romantic noir Decision To Leave premiered in Competition at Cannes last May, where Park won best director. As...
Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave leads the nominations for this year’s Asian Film Awards (Afa) with 10 nods including best film and best director.
Korean films have secured nominations in every category for the 16th edition of the awards, which will return to Hong Kong for the first time in three years, having been hosted in Busan for two years and not held in 2022.
Scroll down for full list of nominations
Korean romantic noir Decision To Leave premiered in Competition at Cannes last May, where Park won best director. As...
- 1/6/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Fans of Lee Jung-jae will get a chance to see the “Squid Game” star in his earliest starring role, as a manipulative male model in 1994’s “The Young Man.”
Korean indie distributor and sales agent Mirovision has added the 1994 picture to its sales lineup at the Asian Contents & Film Market, on the sidelines of the Busan International Film Festival.
Set in Seoul’s Rodeo Drive district, the film sees Lee play a model trying to break into commercials. After he accidentally kills an agent and dumps the body in a river, he has to turn up the charm to get away with the slaying. The role earned him best new actor awards from four organizations.
Lee is currently in huge demand. In addition to his breakout role in “Squid Game” and the Primetime Emmy Award that he collected for his performance, Lee has recently established his credentials as a film director.
Korean indie distributor and sales agent Mirovision has added the 1994 picture to its sales lineup at the Asian Contents & Film Market, on the sidelines of the Busan International Film Festival.
Set in Seoul’s Rodeo Drive district, the film sees Lee play a model trying to break into commercials. After he accidentally kills an agent and dumps the body in a river, he has to turn up the charm to get away with the slaying. The role earned him best new actor awards from four organizations.
Lee is currently in huge demand. In addition to his breakout role in “Squid Game” and the Primetime Emmy Award that he collected for his performance, Lee has recently established his credentials as a film director.
- 10/7/2022
- by Patrick Frater and Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
“Bogota: City of the Lost,” one of the most expensive Korean films ever made, heads the sales slate presented at Busan by Megabox Plus M, part of Korea’s J Contentree listed company.
Crime noir, “Bogota” took 21 months to produce and saw its principal photography start in January 2020 but soon become a victim of Covid. Song Joong Ki (“Space Sweepers”) stars as a young man moving to Colombia with his family for a better life, but he ends up living from hand to mouth. He later goes against all odds to dominate Bogota’s black market. The picture also stars Lee Hee-jun (“The Drug King”) and was directed by Kim Seong-je (“The Unfair”).
It is also pitching “Don’t Buy The Seller,” a thriller directed by Kim Hee-gon (“Fengshui”) that might make one rethink the purchase of second-hand items via online apps. Shin Hae-sun plays the protagonist who reports the...
Crime noir, “Bogota” took 21 months to produce and saw its principal photography start in January 2020 but soon become a victim of Covid. Song Joong Ki (“Space Sweepers”) stars as a young man moving to Colombia with his family for a better life, but he ends up living from hand to mouth. He later goes against all odds to dominate Bogota’s black market. The picture also stars Lee Hee-jun (“The Drug King”) and was directed by Kim Seong-je (“The Unfair”).
It is also pitching “Don’t Buy The Seller,” a thriller directed by Kim Hee-gon (“Fengshui”) that might make one rethink the purchase of second-hand items via online apps. Shin Hae-sun plays the protagonist who reports the...
- 10/7/2022
- by Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
Korean sales firm, Finecut is using the Asian Contents & Film Market on the sidelines of the Busan International Film Festival to launch comic action film “Brave Citizen.”
The film, now in post-production, is an adaptation of a webtoon which ranked first in popularity when it was serialized on the platform Comico. It was later serialized on another Korean platform Naver Webtoon and recorded 2.27 million views on its Line Webtoon platform in Taiwan.
It tells the tale of female former boxing champion who has become a substitute high school teacher. Having witnessed intolerable violence, she dons a mask and throws her first punch for justice.
The film is directed by Park Jin-pyo, an established director of numerous Korean commercial films including “Love Forecast,” “Voice of a Murder” and “You Are My Sunshine.”
Production is by StudioN,. While a theatrical release in planned for 2023, the film is presented by Content Wavve, one...
The film, now in post-production, is an adaptation of a webtoon which ranked first in popularity when it was serialized on the platform Comico. It was later serialized on another Korean platform Naver Webtoon and recorded 2.27 million views on its Line Webtoon platform in Taiwan.
It tells the tale of female former boxing champion who has become a substitute high school teacher. Having witnessed intolerable violence, she dons a mask and throws her first punch for justice.
The film is directed by Park Jin-pyo, an established director of numerous Korean commercial films including “Love Forecast,” “Voice of a Murder” and “You Are My Sunshine.”
Production is by StudioN,. While a theatrical release in planned for 2023, the film is presented by Content Wavve, one...
- 10/6/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Director Park Jin-pyo returns with an action comedy film based on the popular Korean webtoon of the same name.
South Korean sales agent Finecut is launching international sales of Brave Citizen (working title) ahead of the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm).
The action comedy is based on Korean webtoon (internet comic) Brave Citizen, which Finecut reports ranked first in popularity when it was serialised on the webtoon and web novel platform Comico. It was also serialised on the larger Naver Webtoon platform and recorded 2.27 million views on the Line Webtoon platform in Taiwan.
Directed by Park Jin-pyo, the film adaptation...
South Korean sales agent Finecut is launching international sales of Brave Citizen (working title) ahead of the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm).
The action comedy is based on Korean webtoon (internet comic) Brave Citizen, which Finecut reports ranked first in popularity when it was serialised on the webtoon and web novel platform Comico. It was also serialised on the larger Naver Webtoon platform and recorded 2.27 million views on the Line Webtoon platform in Taiwan.
Directed by Park Jin-pyo, the film adaptation...
- 10/6/2022
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Multifaceted Korean film company Acemaker Movieworks will unveil four titles at this year’s Asian Contents & Film Market, which operates alongside the Busan International Film Festival. Action and revenge feature prominently as unifying themes.
The Covid pandemic continues to have a delayed impact on the Korean production and film releasing scenes. Last year’s prolonged theatrical drought meant funds for reinvestment were in short supply and releases postponed. Many of Acemaker’s movies were shot in 2020, but are only now confirming completion and new release dates.
“Remember” is an action drama film starring Lee Sung Min (“The Spy Gone North”) and Nam Joo Hyuk (best known for TV series “Start-Up” and “Twenty-Five Twenty-One”). Directed by Lee Il Hyung (“A Violent Prosecutor”), the story revolves around a retired soldier suffering from dementia, seeking revenge from people he believes caused the death of his family. The film is a remake of Atom Egoyan...
The Covid pandemic continues to have a delayed impact on the Korean production and film releasing scenes. Last year’s prolonged theatrical drought meant funds for reinvestment were in short supply and releases postponed. Many of Acemaker’s movies were shot in 2020, but are only now confirming completion and new release dates.
“Remember” is an action drama film starring Lee Sung Min (“The Spy Gone North”) and Nam Joo Hyuk (best known for TV series “Start-Up” and “Twenty-Five Twenty-One”). Directed by Lee Il Hyung (“A Violent Prosecutor”), the story revolves around a retired soldier suffering from dementia, seeking revenge from people he believes caused the death of his family. The film is a remake of Atom Egoyan...
- 10/4/2022
- by Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
London East Asia Film Festival (Leaff) is back with a diverse programme from East and Southeast Asia, including international and UK premieres. Seven strands runs throughout the festival: Official Selection, Competition, Documentary Competition, Actor Focus: Lee Jung-Jae, Filmmaker Focus: Cinematographer Mark Lee, Classics Restored and Halloween Horror Special.
The festival screenings and events will take place at five venues around London. Following the Opening Gala at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on 19th October, Leaff will continue for 11 days at Odeon Luxe West End, the Cinema at Selfridges, Chiswick Cinema and the Cinema Museum in London! Squid Game star, Lee Jung-Jae will be attending Leaff for the Opening Gala screening of “Hunt”.
Leaff aims to champion the growing collaboration in East Asian filmmaking with a philosophy that marks a shift in the cinematic landscape of East Asia, and moves away from cultural and cinematic borders. The Festival vision is to bring a much wider,...
The festival screenings and events will take place at five venues around London. Following the Opening Gala at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on 19th October, Leaff will continue for 11 days at Odeon Luxe West End, the Cinema at Selfridges, Chiswick Cinema and the Cinema Museum in London! Squid Game star, Lee Jung-Jae will be attending Leaff for the Opening Gala screening of “Hunt”.
Leaff aims to champion the growing collaboration in East Asian filmmaking with a philosophy that marks a shift in the cinematic landscape of East Asia, and moves away from cultural and cinematic borders. The Festival vision is to bring a much wider,...
- 9/25/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
A simple listing, duplicated from the in cinemas US and Canada page, of new releases and other films now playing, for the benefit of those playing along by RSS or keeping up via the Weekly Digest emails (sign up here).
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Sep 13–16
See How They Run Clerks III
I’m planning to see…
Confess, Fletch* The Woman King
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
Elvis* Emergency Declaration Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope* Beast* Breaking* DC League of Super-Pets* Fall Orphan: First Kill* Top Gun: Maverick* True Things Waiting for Bojangles Bullet Train Gigi & Nate Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Tuesday October 18th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting,...
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Sep 13–16
See How They Run Clerks III
I’m planning to see…
Confess, Fletch* The Woman King
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
Elvis* Emergency Declaration Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope* Beast* Breaking* DC League of Super-Pets* Fall Orphan: First Kill* Top Gun: Maverick* True Things Waiting for Bojangles Bullet Train Gigi & Nate Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Tuesday October 18th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting,...
- 9/18/2022
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
A simple listing, duplicated from the in cinemas US and Canada page, of new releases and other films now playing, for the benefit of those playing along by RSS or keeping up via the Weekly Digest emails (sign up here).
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Sep 09
True Things
I’m planning to see…
Barbarian Medieval
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
The Book Keepers* Elvis* Emergency Declaration Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope* Beast* Breaking DC League of Super-Pets* Fall Orphan: First Kill* Top Gun: Maverick* Waiting for Bojangles Bullet Train Gigi & Nate Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Tuesday October 11th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting, social networking, tags, and more...
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Sep 09
True Things
I’m planning to see…
Barbarian Medieval
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
The Book Keepers* Elvis* Emergency Declaration Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope* Beast* Breaking DC League of Super-Pets* Fall Orphan: First Kill* Top Gun: Maverick* Waiting for Bojangles Bullet Train Gigi & Nate Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Tuesday October 11th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting, social networking, tags, and more...
- 9/11/2022
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
A simple listing, duplicated from the in cinemas US and Canada page, of new releases and other films now playing, for the benefit of those playing along by RSS or keeping up via the Weekly Digest emails (sign up here).
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Sep 02
Waiting for Bojangles
I’m planning to see…
Blind Ambition* Burial* Gigi & Nate
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
The Book Keepers* Elvis* Emergency Declaration Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope* Beast Breaking DC League of Super-Pets* Fall Orphan: First Kill* Top Gun: Maverick* Bullet Train Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Tuesday October 4th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting, social networking, tags, and more)...
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Sep 02
Waiting for Bojangles
I’m planning to see…
Blind Ambition* Burial* Gigi & Nate
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
The Book Keepers* Elvis* Emergency Declaration Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope* Beast Breaking DC League of Super-Pets* Fall Orphan: First Kill* Top Gun: Maverick* Bullet Train Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Tuesday October 4th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting, social networking, tags, and more)...
- 9/4/2022
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Song Kang-ho, known for his roles in “Memories of Murder” and “Parasite,” has signed up to make his TV series debut. He will star in indie-produced drama “Uncle Sam Shik.”
“Uncle Sam Shik” is a 1960s-set tale of two men, their pride, greed and bromance, local Korean media reports. Song’s co-lead actor has not been disclosed.
The series is to be directed by Shin Yeon-shick, with whom Song has recently shot feature films “Coweb” and “One Win.” Both films have completed physical production but have not yet been released.
The series is reported to be a ten-episode drama, produced by Slingshot Studio. A broadcast or streaming partner has not yet been announced.
The announcement was made by Slingshot on the eve of the Broadcast WorldWide convention in Seoul, which acts as a major showcase for Korean TV content. The event runs Wednesday to Thursday.
Song has dominated Korean movies...
“Uncle Sam Shik” is a 1960s-set tale of two men, their pride, greed and bromance, local Korean media reports. Song’s co-lead actor has not been disclosed.
The series is to be directed by Shin Yeon-shick, with whom Song has recently shot feature films “Coweb” and “One Win.” Both films have completed physical production but have not yet been released.
The series is reported to be a ten-episode drama, produced by Slingshot Studio. A broadcast or streaming partner has not yet been announced.
The announcement was made by Slingshot on the eve of the Broadcast WorldWide convention in Seoul, which acts as a major showcase for Korean TV content. The event runs Wednesday to Thursday.
Song has dominated Korean movies...
- 8/30/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
A simple listing, duplicated from the in cinemas US and Canada page, of new releases and other films now playing, for the benefit of those playing along by RSS or keeping up via the Weekly Digest emails (sign up here).
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Aug 26
Breaking
I’m planning to see…
The Good Boss Samaritan* Three Thousand Years of Longing
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
The Book Keepers* Elvis* Emergency Declaration Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope* Beast Fall Orphan: First Kill* Top Gun: Maverick* Bullet Train Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection* Spin Me Round*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Wednesday September 28th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting, social networking, tags, and more)...
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Aug 26
Breaking
I’m planning to see…
The Good Boss Samaritan* Three Thousand Years of Longing
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
The Book Keepers* Elvis* Emergency Declaration Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope* Beast Fall Orphan: First Kill* Top Gun: Maverick* Bullet Train Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection* Spin Me Round*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Wednesday September 28th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting, social networking, tags, and more)...
- 8/28/2022
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
“Hunt,” the period political thriller directed by “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae, held top spot at the South Korea box office for the second weekend. “Nope” was the highest opener, landing in third spot.
“Hunt,” made 5.68 million over the weekend, down 35 compared with its opening score a week earlier. After 12 days in cinemas, it has grossed 23.7 million in total.
The film had its world premiere in Cannes where it received mixed reviews and criticism that the fact-based plot was too complicated for foreign audiences. Lee has since recut an international edition of the film, which will next show at the Toronto festival in September. He felt no such need for domestic Korean audiences who may be more familiar with the complex intra-Korean espionage interplay and has enjoyed back-to-back wins and market share which held steady at 47.
Historical actioner “Hansan: Rising Dragon” earned 2.71 million for second place. After four weeks in cinemas it has accumulated 51.4 million,...
“Hunt,” made 5.68 million over the weekend, down 35 compared with its opening score a week earlier. After 12 days in cinemas, it has grossed 23.7 million in total.
The film had its world premiere in Cannes where it received mixed reviews and criticism that the fact-based plot was too complicated for foreign audiences. Lee has since recut an international edition of the film, which will next show at the Toronto festival in September. He felt no such need for domestic Korean audiences who may be more familiar with the complex intra-Korean espionage interplay and has enjoyed back-to-back wins and market share which held steady at 47.
Historical actioner “Hansan: Rising Dragon” earned 2.71 million for second place. After four weeks in cinemas it has accumulated 51.4 million,...
- 8/21/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
A simple listing, duplicated from the in cinemas US and Canada page, of new releases and other films now playing, for the benefit of those playing along by RSS or keeping up via the Weekly Digest emails (sign up here).
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Aug 12
Rogue Agent* Fall
I’m planning to see…
Emergency Declaration We Are Living Things
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
Ali & Ava The Book Keepers* Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* Elvis* Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope Top Gun: Maverick Bullet Train Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Wednesday September 14th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting, social networking, tags, and more)...
The most up-to-date version of this listing is always here.
opening Aug 12
Rogue Agent* Fall
I’m planning to see…
Emergency Declaration We Are Living Things
(*also available to stream at home)
2022’s films, ranked by maryann 2021’s films, ranked by maryann all reviews, 1997–today
now in cinemas
Ali & Ava The Book Keepers* Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* Elvis* Everything Everywhere All at Once* A Love Song Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* Nope Top Gun: Maverick Bullet Train Jurassic World Dominion* Resurrection*
This post will be deleted at 11:59pm on Wednesday September 14th, 2022.
(please click through for commenting, social networking, tags, and more)...
- 8/14/2022
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Nam-gil Kim as Hyun-soo, in Emergency Declaration. Courtesy of WellGo USA
I should start by declaring I’m no fan of “disaster movies,” which usually play out as melodramas, rather than thrillers. They always start with introductions to an assortment of strangers about to find themselves in a shared peril. That is intended to personalize the macrocosm of the threat, so we’ll care about the potential victims – root for some, hate some others – theoretically making “who will survive?” a grabber, regardless of the nature of their common menace. When you put them in a confined space – like an airplane or ship at sea – claustrophobia adds another dimension to the emotional strings being tugged.
So my praise for this subtitled Korean thriller, Emergency Declaration, which runs contrary to form, making it more of an achievement by the producers. A weird guy who we soon learn is a disgraced biologist boards...
I should start by declaring I’m no fan of “disaster movies,” which usually play out as melodramas, rather than thrillers. They always start with introductions to an assortment of strangers about to find themselves in a shared peril. That is intended to personalize the macrocosm of the threat, so we’ll care about the potential victims – root for some, hate some others – theoretically making “who will survive?” a grabber, regardless of the nature of their common menace. When you put them in a confined space – like an airplane or ship at sea – claustrophobia adds another dimension to the emotional strings being tugged.
So my praise for this subtitled Korean thriller, Emergency Declaration, which runs contrary to form, making it more of an achievement by the producers. A weird guy who we soon learn is a disgraced biologist boards...
- 8/12/2022
- by Mark Glass
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A handful of smaller films will start to test audience enthusiasm for movie theaters without big tentpoles. It’s been a rocky summer for specialty releases, and an uphill climb as arthouses emerge from Covid jitters with franchise films sucking up oxygen and screens. But superheroes are on hiatus.
“There isn’t giant competition from tentpoles,” said Howard Cohen, co-president of Roadside Attractions. “On balance, it’s good. Obviously, if you have Top Gun, it sucks the air out of the marketplace. It’s still better — for the specialty market — to have three or four indies than one giant release. Exhibitors are antsy about the sudden dearth of new wide releases this month and next, but they’ve also been asking for more box office breadth.
“We have seen signs of life in our sector,...
“There isn’t giant competition from tentpoles,” said Howard Cohen, co-president of Roadside Attractions. “On balance, it’s good. Obviously, if you have Top Gun, it sucks the air out of the marketplace. It’s still better — for the specialty market — to have three or four indies than one giant release. Exhibitors are antsy about the sudden dearth of new wide releases this month and next, but they’ve also been asking for more box office breadth.
“We have seen signs of life in our sector,...
- 8/12/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
A standard direct flight from Incheon International Airport in South Korea to Honolulu clocks in at a little over 10 hours, and a lot can happen in the duration of that dawn-to-near-dusk journey. You could start and finish a medium-sized book or work your way through a season of a premium-cable prestige drama. Maybe you’d answer a lot of emails (depending on the Wi-Fi situation, which we’re told can be unreliable), get wildly drunk, or catch up on your sleep. Or, should you be a psychopath who works for...
- 8/12/2022
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
After over two years of Covid-19, I don't think anyone would want to be on a plane like this — but watching it from the comfort of our homes? We can definitely do that. The upcoming South Korean survival thriller "Emergency Declaration" has been highly anticipated, and /Film has an exclusive clip for you to sink your teeth into.
According to the film's press release, "Emergency Declaration" stars "Squid Game" actor Lee Byung-hun as "a man trapped in an airplane where a terrorist is threatening to release a deadly virus" while costar Song Kang-ho — perhaps best known in the United States for his work as patriarch Ki-taek in Bong Joon-ho's acclaimed black comedy-thriller "Parasite" — plays "a detective in a race against the clock to stop the attack." Needless to say, tensions rise in the air as well as on the ground when forces waiting for the plane to land start...
According to the film's press release, "Emergency Declaration" stars "Squid Game" actor Lee Byung-hun as "a man trapped in an airplane where a terrorist is threatening to release a deadly virus" while costar Song Kang-ho — perhaps best known in the United States for his work as patriarch Ki-taek in Bong Joon-ho's acclaimed black comedy-thriller "Parasite" — plays "a detective in a race against the clock to stop the attack." Needless to say, tensions rise in the air as well as on the ground when forces waiting for the plane to land start...
- 8/12/2022
- by Lex Briscuso
- Slash Film
With a premiere at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, an epic 140-minute runtime, and a starry South Korean cast that includes Kim Nam-gil (“Memoir of a Murderer”), Lee Byung-hun (“I Saw the Devil”), and Song Kang-ho (“Parasite”), Han Jae-rim’s feature “Emergency Declaration” would appear, on the surface, as a prestige-play.
Continue reading ‘Emergency Declaration’ Review: Song Kang-ho Stars In An Entertainingly Ridiculous Airplane Disaster Thriller at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Emergency Declaration’ Review: Song Kang-ho Stars In An Entertainingly Ridiculous Airplane Disaster Thriller at The Playlist.
- 8/10/2022
- by Christian Gallichio
- The Playlist
As described at the start of Jae-rim Han’s disaster film in the sky, everything is supposed to stop the moment a pilot initiates an Emergency Declaration. It alone lets everyone involved know that the plane is in real danger of crashing. Other aircraft are instantly diverted into circling patterns, the nearest runway is cleared for landing, and it becomes all-hands-on-deck to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. And the general populace condones those measures—they don’t know when they might be on the next flight in desperate need of a runaway. Since the protocol is mainly drawn for piloting issues, depleting fuel, or malfunctions that make time of the essence, however, things get much more complicated if the plane becomes a threat itself.
That’s what happens here, courtesy an act of bioterrorism. Suddenly those in positions of power must weigh the safety of the 200-or-so people...
That’s what happens here, courtesy an act of bioterrorism. Suddenly those in positions of power must weigh the safety of the 200-or-so people...
- 8/9/2022
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
“Emergency Declaration,” a timely Korean-made action thriller, flew to an opening weekend of 6.5 million. But it was old-fashioned naval actioner “Hansan: Rising Dragon” that stayed afloat at the top of the South Korean box office for a second week.
“Hansan,” a sequel to a 2014 record breaker, earned 9.18 million from over 1,600 screens, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). That was a week on week decrease of 32. Its market share fell from 60 to 45. Still, after 12 days in Korean cinemas, “Hansan” has accumulated 36.0 million and is now the fourth highest grossing film of the year to date.
“Emergency Declaration,” which had a special screening in Cannes last year, and had been rescheduled several times, finally got to fly on Wednesday. It took off strongly for distributor Showbox and topped the daily charts on Wednesday and Thursday. But the film flew into turbulence over the...
“Hansan,” a sequel to a 2014 record breaker, earned 9.18 million from over 1,600 screens, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). That was a week on week decrease of 32. Its market share fell from 60 to 45. Still, after 12 days in Korean cinemas, “Hansan” has accumulated 36.0 million and is now the fourth highest grossing film of the year to date.
“Emergency Declaration,” which had a special screening in Cannes last year, and had been rescheduled several times, finally got to fly on Wednesday. It took off strongly for distributor Showbox and topped the daily charts on Wednesday and Thursday. But the film flew into turbulence over the...
- 8/8/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
If I were put in charge of a film school, the first thing I would do is build a set — the cockpit and cabin of a modern airliner — and order all directing students to make a film that takes place aboard the plane. It’s my belief that creativity works best within constraints, and this seems as good a test as any to see what someone can do with a single location.
Case-in-point Korean adrenaline rush “Emergency Declaration” begins at the airport, where a nervous young man buys a ticket aboard the most crowded flight he can find: KI501 to Honolulu. In the bathroom, the suspicious-looking traveler, Ryu Jin-seok (Yim Si-wan), slices a hole under his arm and hides a capsule containing a fast-acting and incredibly contagious virus inside. From this point on, Jin-seok becomes a walking biological weapon, leaving the cops on the ground (led by “Parasite” star Song Kang-ho as Sgt.
Case-in-point Korean adrenaline rush “Emergency Declaration” begins at the airport, where a nervous young man buys a ticket aboard the most crowded flight he can find: KI501 to Honolulu. In the bathroom, the suspicious-looking traveler, Ryu Jin-seok (Yim Si-wan), slices a hole under his arm and hides a capsule containing a fast-acting and incredibly contagious virus inside. From this point on, Jin-seok becomes a walking biological weapon, leaving the cops on the ground (led by “Parasite” star Song Kang-ho as Sgt.
- 8/4/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Closing out the summer movie season, August probably won’t repeat last year when it comes to including the release of the eventual Best Picture. But there are still a number of worthwhile offerings, including the most essential at the very end of the month. See our picks to watch below.
10. Emily the Criminal (John Patton Ford; Aug. 12)
Taking part in ten Sundance premieres over the last ten years, Aubrey Plaza’s niche in the world of independent cinema has been well-carved. Reaching into darker territory as of late, from Ingrid Goes West to Black Bear, her latest film, Emily the Criminal, takes things to a logical next step, placing the actress in strictly thriller territory as her character’s job prospects dwindle and she’s faced with getting into a dangerous, underground world of illegal activity. John Patton Ford’s debut as writer-director is simplistically crafted in both plotting and form,...
10. Emily the Criminal (John Patton Ford; Aug. 12)
Taking part in ten Sundance premieres over the last ten years, Aubrey Plaza’s niche in the world of independent cinema has been well-carved. Reaching into darker territory as of late, from Ingrid Goes West to Black Bear, her latest film, Emily the Criminal, takes things to a logical next step, placing the actress in strictly thriller territory as her character’s job prospects dwindle and she’s faced with getting into a dangerous, underground world of illegal activity. John Patton Ford’s debut as writer-director is simplistically crafted in both plotting and form,...
- 8/2/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
A powerful debut for “Hansan: Rising Dragon,” a locally-made historical action film, lifted the South Korean box office to its second highest weekend of the year and helped July to be the best month of 2022.
The film is a prequel to “Roaring Currents” a tale of an heroic 14th century naval admiral that amassed some 17 million admissions in 2014 and is currently the most-watched Korean film of all time.
Data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic), showed that “Hansan” earned 13.4 million from 1.63 million ticket sales between Friday and Sunday, for a market share of 60. Over its first five days in theaters, the film amassed 17.9 million from 2.27 million spectators.
That makes it only the third Korean film so far this year to pass the 2 million ticket sales mark, behind “The Roundup” which has now reached 12.7 million spectators and 100.4 million in revenues and “The Witch: Part 2.
The film is a prequel to “Roaring Currents” a tale of an heroic 14th century naval admiral that amassed some 17 million admissions in 2014 and is currently the most-watched Korean film of all time.
Data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic), showed that “Hansan” earned 13.4 million from 1.63 million ticket sales between Friday and Sunday, for a market share of 60. Over its first five days in theaters, the film amassed 17.9 million from 2.27 million spectators.
That makes it only the third Korean film so far this year to pass the 2 million ticket sales mark, behind “The Roundup” which has now reached 12.7 million spectators and 100.4 million in revenues and “The Witch: Part 2.
- 8/1/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Surprising as it may sound, the Korean film industry has had a rough time over the past couple of years. Get ready for a comeback.
Just at a moment when Korean film producers might have expected to capitalize on the unprecedented multi-Oscar success of “Parasite” in 2019 to just KRW173 billion (138 million) in 2021.
The film industry is now hoping for a trickle-down effect from Korea’s other creative sectors — music, TV drama, cosmetics and food — that will speed its revival.
“One of the first things I did after getting the job was to change the industry’s branding. No more ‘Korean Cinema.’ Instead, we should call ourselves ‘K-Movies,’ ” said Korean Film Council (Kofic) chairman Park Ki-yong. “It fits with the times.” Korea’s stand in the Cannes International Village has been appropriately rebadged.
K-Movies’ comeback is also likely to have a more international flavor, as foreign filmmakers come to Korea...
Just at a moment when Korean film producers might have expected to capitalize on the unprecedented multi-Oscar success of “Parasite” in 2019 to just KRW173 billion (138 million) in 2021.
The film industry is now hoping for a trickle-down effect from Korea’s other creative sectors — music, TV drama, cosmetics and food — that will speed its revival.
“One of the first things I did after getting the job was to change the industry’s branding. No more ‘Korean Cinema.’ Instead, we should call ourselves ‘K-Movies,’ ” said Korean Film Council (Kofic) chairman Park Ki-yong. “It fits with the times.” Korea’s stand in the Cannes International Village has been appropriately rebadged.
K-Movies’ comeback is also likely to have a more international flavor, as foreign filmmakers come to Korea...
- 5/21/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Cinemas in South Korea received the good news last week that anti-covid measures, including reduced seating capacity and bans on consumption of food and drink, were to end. But audiences reacted gingerly.
“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” led the box office for a second weekend with 1.63 million, a drop of 44 from its opening weekend, and a 12-day cumulative of 6.55 million. Its three-day score represented 42 of the total weekend market and was more than 1 million more than the second placed film. It pointed to a continuation of a market that is hit driven and propelled by specific titles, rather than a mass return to cinemas.
The nationwide aggregate for the weekend was 3.89 million, down on the previous weekend’s 4.07 million, and still within a deeply depressed range that has persisted through all of February and March.
While Korean audiences remain cautious, the country’s film distributors are beginning to set...
“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” led the box office for a second weekend with 1.63 million, a drop of 44 from its opening weekend, and a 12-day cumulative of 6.55 million. Its three-day score represented 42 of the total weekend market and was more than 1 million more than the second placed film. It pointed to a continuation of a market that is hit driven and propelled by specific titles, rather than a mass return to cinemas.
The nationwide aggregate for the weekend was 3.89 million, down on the previous weekend’s 4.07 million, and still within a deeply depressed range that has persisted through all of February and March.
While Korean audiences remain cautious, the country’s film distributors are beginning to set...
- 4/24/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Only a few months ago, hundreds of Asian film executives were expecting to attend this week’s Berlin festival and the European Film Market. For many, it would have been their first participation in a top-tier overseas festival for nearly two years.
But the Omicron variant has upended those dreams. And, except for those folks with a film playing in the festival, most have stayed at home. Again.
That amplifies a trend of diminished Asian participation that was noticeable at both Cannes and Venice in 2021, though was less pronounced at Locarno.
And Asia’s own top festivals are becoming similarly disconnected from the rest of the world. Shanghai, Busan and Tokyo managed to return to their traditional calendar dates and operated as in-person events, but travel restrictions throughout the region crimped program scale, film selections and rendered their physical components almost entirely local. Tokyo said that there were just 42 international guests on its red carpet.
But the Omicron variant has upended those dreams. And, except for those folks with a film playing in the festival, most have stayed at home. Again.
That amplifies a trend of diminished Asian participation that was noticeable at both Cannes and Venice in 2021, though was less pronounced at Locarno.
And Asia’s own top festivals are becoming similarly disconnected from the rest of the world. Shanghai, Busan and Tokyo managed to return to their traditional calendar dates and operated as in-person events, but travel restrictions throughout the region crimped program scale, film selections and rendered their physical components almost entirely local. Tokyo said that there were just 42 international guests on its red carpet.
- 2/12/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Almost two years since “Parasite” won a handful of Oscars, the impact of Covid has meant that the Korean theatrical sector has been largely unable to capitalize on the trickle-down effect of those wins.
Its current malaise stands in contrast to the pandemic windfalls enjoyed by other parts of the Korean entertainment biz — think BTS, Blackpink, “Squid Game” and the latest streaming phenomenon “All of Us Are Dead.”
The current year potentially holds great things for Korean film, with nearly all of the country’s top-name directors having completed works, but the prospect remains tantalizingly out of reach.
And the longer the hard times continue, the less likely a return to the old normal becomes. That is especially true in a market like Korea, where theatrical revenues typically account for the majority of a feature movie’s anticipated revenues.
Korean movie theaters attempted a return to normal in the fourth...
Its current malaise stands in contrast to the pandemic windfalls enjoyed by other parts of the Korean entertainment biz — think BTS, Blackpink, “Squid Game” and the latest streaming phenomenon “All of Us Are Dead.”
The current year potentially holds great things for Korean film, with nearly all of the country’s top-name directors having completed works, but the prospect remains tantalizingly out of reach.
And the longer the hard times continue, the less likely a return to the old normal becomes. That is especially true in a market like Korea, where theatrical revenues typically account for the majority of a feature movie’s anticipated revenues.
Korean movie theaters attempted a return to normal in the fourth...
- 2/11/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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